DE102009035880B4 - Treatment machine for treating packaging means and method for aligned docking of a treatment module to a treatment machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Treatment machine (1) for processing packaging (2), in particular in the form of bottles or similar containers, with a transport element (3) with which the packaging (2) passes at least one treatment module (9) provided at at least one working position (10) are movable, which can be coupled to and uncoupled from a treatment position, as well as with the position of the at least one treatment module (9) after docking determining mechanical coupling and / or centering means (12), whereby to detect any deviations of the treatment machine 1) at least one optical centering and adjustment aid (15, 16) is provided whose functional elements (15, 16) are coupled to the treatment module (9) from its target position and / or to readjust the coupled treatment module (9) to its target position. are provided partly on the treatment module (9) and partly on the treatment machine (1), characterized in that the at least one optical adjustment and setting aid (15, 16) is a laser-beam-assisted setting aid with at least one laser beam source (15) generating at least one laser beam (14), and wherein a functional element ...

Description

The invention relates to a treatment machine for treating packaging materials, in particular for treating bottles, cans or similar containers or packages made of blanks made of flat material, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for aligned docking of a treatment module to a processing machine according to the preamble of claim 8.

Especially in treatment machines in the form of labeling machines, it is known to form the labeling stations or aggregates as quickly and easily replaceable labeling modules, which can be coupled to at least one working position of the processing machine or on the machine frame or decoupled from this, such a labeling machine in modular design Quick and easy to adapt to each changed labeling tasks. It is customary to set the respective Etikettiermodul after docking for the task to be performed with this module Etikettieraufgabe, for example, for the processing of special labels and decouple after completion of this Etikettieraufgabe of the labeling and until the next use outside or laterally from the labeling machine park, so that at the relevant working position a set for another labeling task labeling module can be coupled.

The setting of the respective labeling module for its Etikettieraufgabe usually takes place during a setting mode or test run of the labeling, in which the labels applied to the packaging visually checked and possibly a readjustment of the relevant module or the local labeling in relation to the labeling or on Labeling past moving packaging carried out until the module or the local labeling has the necessary for the optimal application of the labels target position.

For example, with a comparable task DE 100 64 217 A1 , This document discloses a device in which an optical sensor in conjunction with a connected image processing determines the actual position of the fixed part of a handling device with respect to a packaging line, the sensor and connected image processing serve to be able to spend the handling device faster in a desired desired position , A disadvantage of this approach is that the proposed method is technically very complex and expensive.

Also known was a device according to the DE 38 01 032 A1 , This document describes a device for changing tools in plastic machines. Concerning the exact alignment of these tools relative to the entry opening before the actual change, this document discloses that the proposed changing device is equipped with optical means, such as light barriers or laser beams or even the sight and grain. A disadvantage of this approach is that the exact reading of such optical aids is difficult.

In order to achieve an alignment of these modules already when docking the labeling modules to the labeling machine, it is customary to provide mechanical docking and centering elements which cooperate with the labeling modules and on the labeling machine or on the machine frame. Practice has shown, however, that despite the use of such elements required for optimal labeling high repeat or positioning accuracies of, for example, a few 1 / 10th of a millimeter when docking again even an already set Etikettiermoduls not reach, rather deviations from the desired position after docking again, even slight deviations from the desired position lead to a significant deterioration in the labeling quality.

For this reason, it has hitherto been necessary to readjust this module again after each re-docking of a labeling module, for example in a test run or setting mode of the labeling machine, which is at least time-consuming.

The object of the invention is to design a treatment machine with at least one dockable to at least one working position of the machine and from there abdockbaren treatment module so that after Wiederandocken the module easily and quickly detected its current actual position and, if necessary. Just as easily and quickly readjust the docked treatment module is possible. To solve this problem, a treatment machine according to the patent claim 1 is formed. A method for aligned docking of a treatment module to a treatment machine is the subject of claim 8.

An essential feature of the invention is that, in addition to the mechanical docking and centering elements which ensure at least an approximate positioning of the docked treatment module in a desired position, at least one optical adjustment and adjustment aid is provided. With this at least one optical adjustment and adjustment is a possible Deviation from the desired position quickly and easily detectable even if the deviation is only a deviation of a few 1/10 millimeters or a few 1/10 degrees, which, if necessary, a readjustment or adjustment of the docked treatment module is possible so that it then actually has the required position required for the optimal processing of the packaging material. In a preferred embodiment, the optical centering and setting aid is designed such that it can be checked and / or adjusted in and / or around at least two spatial axes, preferably allows at least two spatial axes oriented at right angles to each other, or at least two optical adjustment and adjustment aids are provided for this purpose.

The at least one optical adjustment and adjustment aid is formed in the simplest case as a sighting device with which the operator can aim for a marking on a sighting distance after coupling the respective treatment module to the treatment machine, which is defined for example by at least two sighting points, or the corresponding Sighting device is realized using beam-deflecting and / or -bündelnden and / or -formenden optical components.

According to the invention, the at least one adjustment and adjustment aid is a laser-beam-based adjustment and adjustment aid with at least one laser, the laser beam is directed to a marking or a marking field. The laser preferably consists of at least one laser diode and of an optic for collimation of the laser beam of the laser diode.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of an embodiment. Show it:

1 in a simplified schematic representation and in plan view of a container treatment machine of rotating design in the form of a labeling machine;

2 the labeling machine in partial view together with a docked to the machine or to the machine frame treatment station;

3 in a simplified representation provided on the machine marking field of a laser-based adjustment and adjustment.

The in the figures generally with 1 designated machine is used to treat packaging in the form of bottles or similar containers 2 and comprises in the manner known per se to a person skilled in the art about a vertical machine axis MA in the direction of the arrow A rotatably drivable rotor 3 , at its circumference at equal angular intervals around the machine axis MA distributed a plurality of container receiving positions 4 are formed. To the container receiving positions 4 Be the one with an outer transporter 5 supplied container 2 via a container inlet 6 each individually and upright, ie passed with their container axis oriented in the vertical direction. From the container receiving positions 4 become the treated containers 2 at a container outlet 7 for forwarding to an external conveyor 8th taken.

The on the container receiving positions 4 standing up container 2 be with the rotating rotor 3 at least one treatment module 9 passed, which depends on the specific training of the treatment machine 1 may be a module of various kinds, for example, a labeling module with labeling in training the processing machine as a labeling machine for labeling the container, or as a printing station or printing module in training the treatment machine 1 as a printing machine for printing on the containers 2 etc.

To the treatment machine 1 for different treatments with different treatment modules 9 to use, for example, for labeling containers 2 different shape and / or size with different in nature and / or size labels or for printing the container 2 with different, for example, adapted to the nature and / or size of the respective print image different printheads, etc., are several treatment modules 9 provided, of which during operation of the treatment machine 1 one at the at least one working position 10 to the treatment machine 1 or on the machine frame 11 is docked while the other treatment modules 9 are in a waiting position.

Especially when labeling, printing but also in other types of treatment, it is erförderlich that each to the treatment machine 1 docked treatment module 9 or its treatment unit 9.1 very precisely accurate in relation to the treatment machine 1 is aligned. To dock the respective treatment module 9 to facilitate and in this case also an alignment of the treatment module 9 in relation to the treatment machine 1 or the machine frame 11 To achieve it is common and well known at the treatment machine 1 and at the treatment modules 9 provide mechanical docking and centering elements, which in the 2 schematically with 12 are indicated to after docking a treatment module 9 ensure that it assumes the required nominal position with the greatest possible accuracy.

• – durch unterschiedliche, sich verändernde Reibungsverhältnisse an den Aufnahmen und Gegenaufnahmen bzw. an den dortigen Zentrierelementen der Behandlungsmodule 9 und der Behandlungsmaschine 1,
• – durch Verschmutzungen oder Beschädigungen der Aufnahmen und Gegenaufnahmen,
• – durch Verschmutzungen und Beschädigungen des Untergrundes bzw. Hallenbodens 13,
• – durch Unachtsamkeit des Bedienungspersonals usw.

In practice, however, it has been shown that despite the docking and centering elements 12 the repeating or positioning accuracies of a few 1/10 millimeters required, for example, when labeling, but also when printing when restoring a treatment module to the associated working position 10 do not reach out. This is partly due to this

• - By different, changing friction conditions on the recordings and counter recordings or at the local centering of the treatment modules 9 and the treatment machine 1 .
• - by contamination or damage to the recordings and counter recordings,
• - by dirt and damage to the substrate or hall floor 13 .
• - due to carelessness of the operators etc.

After restocking, therefore, a re-adjustment to achieve the desired position or orientation is required. This setting of the treatment unit 9.1 takes place for example between this unit and the module-side docking and centering 12 comprising module frame 9.2 like this in the 2 indicated by the double arrow B, this adjustment during a trial run or setting mode of the treatment machine 1 takes place, which is at least time consuming.

To avoid this, the treatment machine 1 and their treatment modules 9 formed with optical adjustment and adjustment aids, each of which is an exact verification of the actual position of each treatment module 9 after docking to the working position 10 and a precise readjustment of each treatment module 9 or the associated treatment unit 9.1 in the exact desired position in and / or allows at least two axes of the treatment module, these at least two axes are preferably oriented perpendicular to each other. These, for example, horizontal or substantially horizontal axes are in the 1 denoted by x1 and x2, wherein the axis x1 are oriented radially and the axis x2 tangent to the machine axis MA.

Also symbolically represented in the 1 the axis Z, which is aligned substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the labeling machine. This axis Z extends, for example, through one of the docking and centering elements 12 , and thus represents an axis about which the treatment module is also movable.

For each axis x1 and x2 a separate optical adjustment and adjustment is provided in the illustrated embodiment, each of a laser beam 14 in the axis concerned x1 or x2 emitting laser 15 and a check box 16 exists on which the laser beam 14 after docking the treatment module 9 is directed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the laser is 15 , which is designed according to a laser pointer, for example, on the treatment module 9 or on the treatment unit 9.1 intended. The associated check box 16 is at the treatment machine 1 , For example, on the local machine frame 11 or on the rotor 3 intended.

The 3 shows one of the check boxes 18 , the shoot-like with several a center 17 enclosing concentric rings 18 is formed, together with that of the laser beam 14 generated luminous point 14.1 For example, at the first startup of the treatment machine or the respective treatment module 9 This is coupled to the machine module or its treatment unit 9 exactly in the for processing the container 2 required target position aligned and thereby the lasers 15 the two optical adjustment and adjustment aids set so that that of the respective laser beam 14 generated light spot 14.1 exactly in the center 17 lies.

Indicates after a new docking of the treatment module 9 this one deviating from the exact nominal position is position in which the luminous point 14.1 of the laser beam 14 the relevant adjustment and adjustment outside the center 7 lies, as in the 3 is indicated, there is a readjustment or realignment of the entire docked treatment module 9 or the treatment unit 9.1 until the light spot 14.1 with the center 17 coincides.

The distance the inner ring 18 from the center 17 and the rings 18 each have a measure of the size of the deviation of the actual position of the desired position. If minor deviations within a certain tolerance range are not detrimental, such deviations of the luminous point can occur 14.1 from the center 17 , ie, for example, when the luminous point 14.1 still within the first, the center 17 enclosing ring 18 is to be dispensed with a readjustment. The respective adjustment and adjustment in these cases then serves exclusively to check the current actual position of the docked treatment module 9 ,

In order to simplify the checking of the actual position and / or the readjustment, it may be expedient to use the respective marking field 16 and / or the surface having this marking field form transparent or matt-disk-like, so that the light spot 14.1 at the laser 15 facing away from the back of the marker field can be considered, then also the marking of the center 17 and the rings 18 are visible.

Above, it was assumed that the laser beams 14 generating laser 15 each at the treatment modules 9 and the associated check boxes 16 at the treatment machine 1 are provided. Of course, at least in one of the optical centering and adjusting this arrangement can be reversed, ie provided with the treatment machine laser 15 and with the treatment module 9 provided marking field 16 ,

Furthermore, there is also the possibility of Markierugsfelder 16 unlike schießscheibenartig execute, for example, as a crosshair or in the form of optical grids z. B. with a variety of line-like individual marks, etc.

Furthermore, there is the possibility of the laser 15 removable at the treatment modules 9 and / or at the treatment machine 1 provided, in each case in recordings, which these lasers 15 record positively. It is of particular importance that the laser 15 get back to their original exact orientation and positioning after reinsertion with very high accuracy.

The invention has been described above by means of an embodiment. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.

It has been assumed above that the optical adjustment and adjustment aids are laser beam-based. Of course, other optical adjustment and adjustment aids are used, for example, those that allow the operator to determine by visual sighting or sighting a possible deviation of the actual position of the docked treatment module from its desired position. In the simplest case, such optical sighting or sighting systems then consist of at least two, for example, on the respective treatment module 9 or at the treatment machine 1 attached bearing or sighting points and one on the treatment machine 1 or at the treatment module attached reference point or marking or a marking field. Even more complex optical sighting devices, ie those with beam-deflecting and / or beam-collimating and / or beam-shaping optical elements and / or with displays in at least two spatial axes can be used as adjustment and adjustment aids.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Container handling machine

2

container

3

rotor

4

container receptacle

5

external transporter

6

container inlet

7

container outlet

8th

external transporter

9

treatment module

9.1

treatment unit

9.2

Module frame or frame

10

working position

11

machine frame

12

Docking and centering elements

13

Underground or hall floor

14

laser beam

14.1

light spot

15

laser

16

checkbox

17

Focus

18

ring

A

Direction of rotation of the rotor 3

B

Setting the treatment module 9 or the treatment unit 9.1

MA

machine axis

x1, x2

axis

Claims (11)

Treatment machine ( 1 ) for processing packaging ( 2 ), in particular in the form of bottles or similar containers, with a transport element ( 3 ) with which the packaging ( 2 ) on at least one of at least one working position ( 10 ) treatment module ( 9 ) are movable past, which can be coupled to a treatment position and decoupled from this, as well as with the position of the at least one treatment module ( 9 ) after docking mechanical coupling and / or centering means ( 12 ), in which for detecting possible deviations of the to the treatment machine ( 1 ) coupled treatment module ( 9 ) from its desired position and / or for readjustment of the coupled treatment module ( 9 ) in its desired position at least one optical centering and adjusting ( 15 . 16 ) is provided whose functional elements ( 15 . 16 ) partially on the treatment module ( 9 ) and partly at the treatment machine ( 1 ) are provided, characterized in that the at least one optical adjustment and adjustment ( 15 . 16 ) a laser beam assisted adjustment aid with at least one at least one laser beam ( 14 ) generating laser beam source ( 15 ), and wherein a functional element ( 16 ) of the at least one optical adjustment and adjustment aid ( 15 . 16 ) an optically detectable marking or an optically detectable marking field ( 16 ) and wherein the laser beam ( 14 ) on the marking or the marking field ( 16 ). Treatment machine ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized by several optionally to the at least one working position ( 10 ) coupling treatment modules ( 9 ). Treatment machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the marking or the marking field ( 16 ) are punctiform, grid-like, reticule-like or schießscheibenartig formed. Treatment machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one optical adjustment and adjustment aid ( 15 . 16 ) is a sighting device, for example in the form of at least two sighting points for sighting the marking or the marking field ( 16 ) and / or in the form of an optical elements for beam deflection and / or -bundelung and / or -forming having sighting device. Treatment machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least two adjustment and adjustment aids ( 15 . 16 ) for checking and / or adjusting the position of the to the treatment machine ( 1 ) docked treatment module ( 9 ) in and / or around at least two preferably horizontal or substantially horizontal spatial axes (x1, x2). Treatment machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport element has a rotor (2) which is rotatable about a vertical machine axis ( 3 ). Treatment machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by its design as a labeling machine with at least one treatment module ( 9 ) in the form of a labeling module or aggregate or by its design as a printing machine for printing the packaging ( 2 ) with at least one treatment module designed as a printing unit ( 9 ). Method for aligned docking of a treatment module ( 9 ) to a treatment machine ( 1 ) for processing packaging ( 2 ), in particular in the form of bottles or similar containers, using the position of the at least one treatment module ( 9 ) after docking mechanical coupling and / or centering means ( 12 ), wherein after docking with at least one optical centering and setting aid ( 15 . 16 ) whose functional elements ( 15 . 16 ) partially on the treatment module ( 9 ) and partly at the treatment machine ( 1 ), an actual position of the treatment module ( 9 ) with respect to the treatment machine ( 1 ) and at least for a tolerance range exceeding deviations from a desired position using the at least one optical centering and adjusting an adjustment of the treatment module ( 9 ), characterized by the use of at least one optical adjustment and adjustment aid ( 15 . 16 ), which has a laser beam-assisted setting aid with at least one laser beam ( 14 ) generating laser beam source ( 15 ) and by using at least one optical adjustment and adjustment aid ( 15 . 16 ), in which a functional element ( 16 ) an optically detectable marking or an optically detectable marking field ( 16 ) and wherein the laser beam ( 14 ) on the marking or the marking field ( 16 ). Method according to Claim 8, characterized by the use of at least one optical adjustment and adjustment aid ( 15 . 16 ), where the marker or the check box ( 16 ) are punctiform, grid-like, reticule-like or schießscheibenartig formed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the use of at least one optical adjustment and adjustment aid ( 15 . 16 ), which is a sighting device, for example in the form of at least two sighting points for sighting the marking or the marking field (US Pat. 16 ) and / or in the form of an optical elements for beam deflection and / or -bundelung and / or -forming having sighting device. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the use of at least two adjusting and adjusting aids ( 15 . 16 ) for checking and / or adjusting the position of the to the treatment machine ( 1 ) docked treatment module ( 9 ) in and / or at least two preferably horizontal or substantially horizontal spatial axes (x1, x2).

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